The most expensive home for sale in the United States is not in Beverly Hills or Manhattan, but in the mountains of Aspen, Colorado. The property, known as Little Lake Lodge, sits on 74 acres and has 18 bedrooms, a private six-acre lake, and sweeping views of the Colorado wilderness. Its asking price is a staggering $300 million.
The sellers are Stewart and Lynda Resnick, the billionaire couple behind FIJI Water, Wonderful Pistachios, and POM Wonderful. The two have built one of the largest privately owned farming empires in America through their company, The Wonderful Company. They own more than 175,000 acres of farmland, most of it in California’s Central Valley, and their products reach more than half of U.S. households.
Who Are Stewart and Lynda Resnick?
The Resnicks, with a combined net worth of about $8 billion, are among America’s most successful but low-profile billionaires. Stewart, a lawyer, and Lynda, a former advertising executive, met in Los Angeles in the 1970s. After marrying in 1973, they invested in small businesses, including a home security firm and Teleflora, a flower delivery service.
Their biggest success came when they began buying farmland in California. What started as a hedge against inflation grew into a vast agricultural empire. Today, they are leading producers of pistachios, almonds, citrus fruits, and pomegranates.
Their brands include:
- FIJI Water
- POM Wonderful juice
- Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds
- Halos Mandarins
- JUSTIN and Landmark Vineyards
- Teleflora
The Wonderful Company generates more than $6 billion in annual revenue, with Stewart handling operations and Lynda focusing on branding.
Water and Environmental Controversy
The Resnicks’ success has not come without criticism. Their farming operations rely heavily on water, and they own a 57% stake in the Kern Water Bank, one of California’s largest underground reservoirs.
Environmental activists argue this gives them an unfair advantage during droughts while smaller farmers and nearby communities struggle with dry wells and high costs. The Kern Water Bank was originally developed with public money before being moved into private hands in the 1990s, a transfer that remains controversial.
The couple has also been the subject of online conspiracy theories, including claims during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires that they were “hoarding” water. State officials quickly dismissed the allegations, clarifying that water supply was not the problem but rather water pressure. The Resnicks later donated $10 million to wildfire relief efforts.
Philanthropy and Political Influence
Despite criticism, the Resnicks are known for their philanthropy. In 2019, they donated $750 million to Caltech to support climate research, one of the largest gifts ever made to a U.S. university. They have also funded programs at UC Davis, UCLA, and schools in California’s Central Valley.
Politically, they are influential donors, having supported both Democratic and Republican candidates. They have given millions to ballot measures and policy campaigns, including significant contributions to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s campaigns.
A Record-Breaking Sale?
The Aspen estate is just one of the couple’s many luxury properties, which include homes in Beverly Hills and Hawaii. If sold at its asking price, Little Lake Lodge could set a new record for the most expensive home ever listed in the United States.
The Resnicks’ story is one of vast business success, environmental controversy, and quiet influence. Now, with their Colorado estate on the market, they are once again making headlines — this time for what could become America’s priciest home sale.
